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Updated: Sep 28, 2026

An In vitro System to Gauge the Thrombolytic Efficacy of Histotripsy and a Lytic Drug
Published on: June 4, 2021
[Role of plasminogen activators in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis]
1Service de réanimation médicale, hôpital Central, 54035 Nancy, France. pe.bollaert@chu-nancy.fr
In deep vein thrombosis, thrombolytic agents can improve vein patency more rapidly than conventional anticoagulant therapy. The clinical benefit of thrombolytic use would be a reduction in the incidence and severity of the postthrombotic syndrome and limb salvage in "phlegmatia caerulea". A literature review suggests that streptokinase and rt-PA do better than heparin regarding vein patency. A clinical benefit on postthrombotic syndrome can only be suggested by available evidence. The risk of major bleeding is increased by thrombolytic agents as compared with heparin. Mortality for cerebral bleeding is about 0.5%. Currently, thrombolytic therapy is only recommended for limb salvage in phlegmatia caerulea.
In deep vein thrombosis, thrombolytic agents can improve vein patency more rapidly than conventional anticoagulant therapy. The clinical benefit of thrombolytic use would be a reduction in the incidence and severity of the postthrombotic syndrome and limb salvage in "phlegmatia caerulea". A literature review suggests that streptokinase and rt-PA do better than heparin regarding vein patency. A clinical benefit on postthrombotic syndrome can only be suggested by available evidence. The risk of major bleeding is increased by thrombolytic agents as compared with heparin. Mortality for cerebral bleeding is about 0.5%. Currently, thrombolytic therapy is only recommended for limb salvage in phlegmatia caerulea.
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